Organic brain syndrome

Causes

Listed below are disorders associated with OBS.

Brain injury caused by trauma

• Bleeding into the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage)
• Bleeding into the space around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage)
• Blood clot inside the skull causing pressure on brain (subdural hematoma)
• Concussion

Breathing conditions

• Low oxygen in the body (hypoxia)
• High carbon dioxide levels in the body (hypercapnia)

Cardiovascular disorders

• Dementia due to many strokes (multi-infarct dementia)
• Heart infections (endocarditis, myocarditis)
• Stroke
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Degenerative disorders

• Alzheimer disease (also called senile dementia, Alzheimer’s type)
• Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
• Diffuse Lewy Body disease
• Huntington disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus
• Parkinson disease
• Pick disease

Dementia due to metabolic causes

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism)
• Vitamin deficiency (B1, B12, or folate)

Drug and alcohol-related conditions

• Alcohol withdrawal state
• Intoxication from drug or alcohol use
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (a long-term effect of excessive alcohol consumption ormalnutrition)
• Withdrawal from drugs (especially sedative-hypnotics and corticosteroids)

Infections

• Any sudden onset (acute) or long-term (chronic) infection
• Blood poisoning (septicemia)
• Brain infection (encephalitis)
• Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
• Prion infections, such as mad cow disease
• Late-stage syphilis

Complications of cancer can also lead to OBS.

Other conditions that may mimic organic brain syndrome include:

• Depression
• Neurosis
• Psychosis

Symptoms

Symptoms can differ based on the disease. In general, organic brain syndromes cause:

• Agitation
• Confusion
• Long-term loss of brain function (dementia)
• Severe, short-term loss of brain function (delirium)

Exams and Tests

Tests depend on the disorder, but may include:

• Blood tests
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Head CT scan
• Head MRILumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Treatment

Treatment depends on the disorder. Many of the disorders are treated mainly with rehabilitation and supportive care to assist the person in areas where brain function is lost.

Medications may be needed to reduce aggressive behaviors that can occur with some of the conditions.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Some disorders are short-term and treatable, but many are long-term or get worse over time.

Possible Complications

People with OBS often lose the ability to interact with others or function on their own.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if:

• You have been diagnosed with organic brain syndrome and you are uncertain about the exact disorder.
• You have symptoms of this condition.
• You have been diagnosed with OBS and your symptoms become worse.

Alternative Names

OBS; Organic mental disorder (OMS); Chronic organic brain syndrome

References

Apostolova LG, DeKosky ST, Cummings JL. Dementias. In: Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, eds. Bradley’s Neurology in Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 66.

Knopman DS. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman’s Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 409.

Update Date 2/24/2014

Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.